Howard was the best Red Wing on the ice for the first 40 minutes of Game 5, stopping 18 of 20 shots before Detroit found its footing in the third. Howard has now stopped 118 of 125 shots in San Jose during the series.

Pavelski scored on a nice feed from Ryane Clowe(notes) in the second period to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead, notching his fifth of the playoffs.

Honorable mention: Danny Cleary(notes) had arguably the game's most critical goal, outworking the Sharks in their defensive zone and hammering home a rebound past Devin Setoguchi(notes) and Antti Niemi(notes) to tie the game, 3-3. … Kronwall had a goal, an assist and a couple of big hits. … Lidstrom's assist on the game-winner moved him to within one point of Bryan Trottier (184) for No. 10 all-time in playoff points; Steve Yzerman is ninth at 185. … Setoguchi scored his fifth of the playoffs for the Sharks. … Hell of a save by Niemi on Jonathan Ericsson here: